“And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (Jude 1:22-23).

If you and I take seriously the faith we have been given, not looking at others, but only to the Lord, we realize that others are watching us.  Be an example, as best as you can, knowing that sometimes you are the first gospel that someone else reads.  Do not be one of those of whom it  is said, “If that is your Christian, is it any wonder that no one wants Christianity.”  Learn to be faithful to the One who called you.

Lord, this is not a competition.  But I am pushed up against the old Adam in me who wants to do nothing.  Grant me the energy and foresight to move forward even when I feel like doing nothing.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Lead me, dear Lord, by Your grace to live as an example of a discipleship which looks to You always for guidance and direction.

Come, Holy Spirit, and work on the unseen places of my heart.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that I need all the help Your presence within gives.  By Your goodness, grant me the strength to do the tasks You give me to do.  Lead me to grow in faithfulness and help me hold fast to the truth You have revealed to my heart.  Guide me and help me become whom You want me to be.  Amen.

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21).

Are you building upon your faith?  That is, are you intentional about living into the life to which you have been called?  I’m not talking about getting merit awards for attending church, but truly growing as a disciple.  We have been called to prepare for eternity.  The work has been done by our Savior, but now we need to participate in our sanctification.  It is never too late to begin again.

Lord, I often become lazy, especially when those around me are doing nothing.  I compare myself to them.  But Lord, it is not about what my neighbor is doing, but about the call You have given me.  Guide me dear Lord to humbly walk in the truth You have revealed to me that I may willingly do the work of being a disciple.  Help me to not be lazy, but to work hard in the gift of becoming Your disciple.

Lord Jesus, I know I can earn nothing since salvation is about grace, not merit.  But if I take this seriously, I need all the help I can get to put into practice the things You have given me to do.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, so that I look to You and am guided by what You know I need.  Help me, Jesus, by Your grace to not look to others, but only to You and then to do what You give me to do.  Amen.

“[T]hat they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”  These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 1:18-19).

It is an interesting thing that you can say that you believe just about anything and the mockers will be fascinated.  But say that you believe in Jesus and they go crazy.  Why do the demons hate the name of Jesus?  Do not be deceived, for the devil uses those around you to lead you astray, if possible.  Hold the course and stay firm in the truth of the One who has already provided all that is needed.  

Lord, guide my thoughts and deeds so that I may become consistent in living the life of faith You have given me.  Guide me according to Your goodness to live into this life and not to be swayed by those around me who mock and hate You.  Grant that I develop a sensitivity to those who are devoid of the Spirit, and indeed may be guided by the wicked spirits of this age, but not to the point of being led astray by them.  Lead me away from the lusts of this age.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be constantly tempted by this age.  There are so many voices and so much hatred.  Lead me in the truth of Your love.  Guide me according to the purposes You have already established and made known to me through the witness of the saints.  Keep me in humble submission to You Lord as the One who will lead me through all of the wickedness of this age.  Amen.

“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:17)

There is nothing new under the sun and nothing new that is going to be revealed until the day of Jesus.  Especially in our age when people think we’re after something new, listen to the old, old story of Jesus and His love.  Do not be carried away with the enticements of empty words but listen to the goodness of the Gospel and follow Jesus.  Listen to those who have given You the witness.

Lord, there are those who tell me something supposedly new, or a certain twist that makes me think I have received a special revelation.  Help me see through every such attempt to lead me astray.  Guide me according to Your goodness to know that in You alone is all hope.  You have already accomplished salvation for those who believe.  Help me to live as one who believes.

Lord Jesus, what can I add that has not already been thought of?  There is nothing I can do but respond to the offer You have already given.  Lead me in the continuity of the witness of all the saints who have gone before me so that I may learn the simple task of humbly following You.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, for You alone know the way I need to go.  You have already provided all that is needed.  Amen.

“These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage” (Jude 1:16).

If the wicked ones are out for you there is not much you can do about it.  They will find fault with everything you do.  Do not feed into the wickedness.  We are commanded by the Lord to love and put the best possible construction on others behaviors.  But do not be deceived, nor fall into their deceptions.  Live truthfully and be guarded by the One who saves you from the death that sin brings.

Lord, this makes sense.  I see it all around me.  Seemingly decent people who attack, hate, and do not live as You would have us live.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of life that You would have me live.  Lead me according to Your purpose to live according to all Your commandments, summed up by loving You and my neighbor as I love myself.  Teach me, Lord, what I need to know and help me to do it.

Dear Lord Jesus, You endured the crowds that were jeering and mocking You with every step You took to the Cross.  They lied and accused You of all kinds of things, but You kept heading to Golgotha.  Lord, You have saved me.  Lead me in the way of salvation so that I too may overcome the wickedness perpetrated in this age.  Guide me according to Your goodness and in Your mercy to learn how to be faithful.  Amen.

“[T]o execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”  (Jude 1:15)

We ought to take seriously the judgement of the Lord.  Too many, it seems, think it’s all fun and games.  It is not a matter of being fearful, but about trying to do good, knowing that grace is what motivates it, seeking to be decent to others (according to the Lord and not the world) and do things the way the Lord would have you do them, in utter simplicity, behaving as you ought to behave.  But the world does not want you to do that and the games go on.

Lord, Help me to see the contrast between good and evil, and live as You would have me live.  Guide me away from the wicked ways of this world and into the way You have established from the beginning.  Help me, dear Lord, to remember that in You I have hope and know that when judgement comes I have the blessed assurance of Your grace.  Lead me as You know I need to be guided and teach me to get out of the way so You can lead.

Lord Jesus, I have many ideas and I need to stop.  Help me learn first how to submit to You, My Lord and Savior.  Then teach me to follow You no matter what people around me are doing and saying.  Finally, in Your goodness, lift me up to become like You.  I know this needs to begin over and over again, but do not give up on me Jesus.  Keep leading me in the way I need to go.  Amen.

“It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones” (Jude 1:14)

The battle between good and evil has continued unabated since the fall of Adam and Eve.  We are that generation.  The Lord has come to save.  There are those who act as if they did not need to be saved, or that somehow, they only need a little saving.  We have all fallen short of God’s glory.  We all, at the end of this age, will have only the smallest plea of, “All I did was what You asked”.

Lord, the sinful heart is haughty and does not want what You alone can give.  Guide me away from my sinful heart, Lord, and into the grace and mercy that You have purchased from the cross.  Guide me in the way of righteousness and lead me according to the will of the Father.  Lord, You know all that is needed. Help me to follow You today to do what is right in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, I too need saving.  You have come to save one such as me.  Guide me in the way of  righteousness You demonstrated while walking this earth so that, by Your example, I may be mindful of the way to go.  Lead me, O Lord, so that in Your goodness and mercy I may share with others the Good News of the salvation You have purchased from the cross.  Help me to be faithful.  Amen.

“[W]ild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 1:13).

The deeds of the wicked are as evident as they are repulsive.  They know no shame.  Do not be deceived, those who practice such things are bound for eternal darkness.  Has not Jesus told us that what we believe will be evident by our deeds?  Live as one who believes that Jesus has paid the price for your sin and freed you to be His disciple.  Be guided by His goodness and mercy.

Lord, in the moment it seems like the wicked get their way, but time does tell a different story.  Lead me in Your goodness always so that I do what is right in Your eyes.  Do not let me be led astray by those who practice wickedness in this world.  Instead, help me to be led by You and the goodness and mercy You have made available in abundance from the cross by Your grace.  Guide me, dear Jesus, in the way of truth.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that those who trust in You may live life differently from those in the world who are always practicing wickedness for their own ends.  Let me see the futility of this so that I may live by what is right, good and salutary.  Help me to learn how to live righteously in a world filled with anger, hatred, and greed.  Guide me according to the Father’s will to do what is right always.  Amen.

“These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted” (Jude 1:12)

Why is it we think that anyone who calls themself a Christian and hangs out with a fellowship is a good person?  We all have sin issues and the Lord has come to save each one of us.  Yes, there are those who are wicked that mask themselves as good people.  Jesus said that by their fruits will you know them.  Trust the Lord and accept all others with a grain of doubt.  Love them but know that we are all sinners in need of grace.

Lord, Your church has been so maligned in the eyes of the world by the hypocrites who mask as Your followers.  Others think that this hypocrisy is what Christianity is all about.  First, help me learn how to be faithful.  Then, help me to behave in such a way as to show the Good News of the Gospel through my words and deeds.  Lead me, Lord, according to Your goodness and enable me to walk humbly in Your ways that others see You in me.

Lord Jesus, You died so that we might be freed from sin, death, and the devil.  Bring me to the place where I live as one who has been freed. Guide me in Your goodness to walk humbly with You my Maker and do things the way You would have me do them.  Lead me this day to humbly submit to all that You would have me do knowing that Your way is right and that I need Your continuing direction.  Amen.

CORRECTION: The Global Lutheran House of Study is located at United Theological Seminary.